St. Mulumba College Ogbede-Reflection/Tribute

On February 14, 2014 Onitsha Metropolitan Council established St. Mulumba College Ogbede and on February 5, 2015 the Metropolitan Council gathered at the College premises to evaluate its achievements regarding the College and raise funds to tackle the immediate challenges. February 14, 2015 is the first anniversary of the establishment of the College. The following is a brief reflection on the Mulumba College and small tribute to Onitsha Metropolitan Council.

Sometimes one may ask what may seem to many a silly question. What is the significance of a name? A name is a name and that is all. But a name is much more than that. It is a combination of words used to distinguish a person or thing or institution. A name may be said to be a distinctive characterisation in words by which a person or thing or institution is known and distinguished from others.

For instance, Damian Okolo is different from John Odike. The former is the current Metropolitan Grand Knight of Onitsha and an indigene of Nnewi while the latter is the Past Metropolitan Grand Knight of Onitsha Metropolitan Council and an indigene of Nimo. So there is no mistaking as to the identity of the two persons. Also there is no controversy as to the certainty of identity of Christ the King College Onitsha popularly known as CKC Onitsha an institution established on February 2 1933 by late Archbishop Charles Heerey CSSP, and St. Mulumba College Ogbede in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State founded by KSM Onitsha Metropolitan Council and established on 14th February 2014. Each institution above is different from St. Murumba College Jos established by the Catholic Church in 1960 and St. Mulumba Girls Secondary School Benin City established in October 2006 by Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria.

Apart from the identity which a name confers on that particular person or thing or institution, people tend to behave or act according to the names by which they are known. If one is called PEACE and the only thing she is interested in is trouble then such a name does not fit the person wearing it. In the same vain if one is called ‘EZIOKWU BU NDU’ [truth is life] and the person is always interested in telling lies then such a name does not fit the person wearing it. Generally people wear names that fit them and alumni of institutions tend to wear and adhere to the tenets of those institutions.

Some people are called PAUL. For my purpose herein it is sufficient, I think, to state that the Apostle Paul was very dedicated in all that he did. All that mattered to him was God and as God’s servant he found it difficult to compromise truth with lies. He undertook many missionary journeys. He proclaimed the Good news to various people. He wrote to many churches in attempt to solve their peculiar problems. He was prepared to suffer and he did suffer a lot of inconveniences for Christ. He was a missionary in words and actions.

Some people are called John. The most popular is John the Disciple that Jesus loved most. He was the only disciple who was at the foot of the Cross. Because of the immense love which the Lord had for him, the Lord entrusted his mother Mary, the most and only earthly possession he had, to John, ‘Son behold your mother. Mother behold your son’. John also loved Christ and took care of Mary.

Some people are called JOHNPAUL. This name has the effect of combining the qualities of Paul with those of John. It is a combination of the missionary zeal, service to others and the uncompromising attitude towards God’s work with immense love for Jesus and Mary. Pope St. John Paul 2 is a typical example.

Some people are called MARY. The most popular and the greatest is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God, the mother of the Church. She was a humble, obedient, charitable, patient, faithful and sorrowful handmaid of the Lord.

Some people are called DAMIAN. St. Damian was a physician who charged nothing for his services. By so doing he attracted many to the Christian faith. He used his talent to entice people to become Christians. He used what he had to help people develop and live quality life.

Some people take the name MULUMBA. St. Mulumba was one of the martyrs of Uganda. Indeed we have much to learn from the way the martyrs especially Mulumba lived. On 31 May 1880 during the re-dedication of the Ugandan Mission to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mulumba was enrolled as a catechumen[1].

Two years later before he was baptised the priest asked him whether he was prepared to receive baptism. Mulumba replied ‘have no fear, Father; it is two years now since I made up my mind and nothing can make me change it. I am a Catholic and I shall die a Catholic.’[2] He was baptised along with three others on the Feast of Pentecost May 18, 1882. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation the same day and Holy Communion also on the same day.[3]

He was martyred 27-30 May 1886 by cutting his hands and legs and left to die. He was 50 years old. Pope Benedict XV beatified the martyrs on 6 June 1920 and Pope Paul VI canonised them on October 18, 1964. St. Mulumba is the Patron Saint of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria.

Yes, Mulumba was a great Champion of Faith. He was a man full of zeal, energy and courage. He has become an inspiration and a model for us. St. Mulumba College is an instrument of evangelisation. The effect of this evangelisation is to implant in the Christian, as Pope Paul VI said during the canonisation the martyrs ‘a new form of vitality which tends to release the spiritual powers and latent talents of the local population and so set people free, helping to give them a mature power of self-determination, and enabling them to express more fully, in their own idiom of art and culture, the special genius they have.' According to the Bishops’ Conference of Uganda, ‘St. Mulumba lived a life of deep Christian commitment, a life that equipped him for the moment of the heroic sacrifice. He decided to follow the Master Christ. Can Mulumba students emulate the ideals for which St. Mulumba lived and died?

The Motto of this St. Mulumba College is IN LUMEN CHRISTI VIDEMUS LUMEN which means IN CHRIST WE SEE LIGHT. And who is this Christ? Many explanations have been tried in attempts to fit the various views together. The only acceptable conclusion is that Christ Jesus is truly God and truly Man. This position we faithfully acknowledge in the Creed. In the same Creed we also acknowledge that Christ is the LIGHT FROM LIGHT.

The Apostle John in his First Letter says that ‘Christ is LIGHT’.[4]Christ is also Love. The challenge here is that you must live a life of light and love by keeping his Commandments particularly that of loving all human beings so that you can be in union with Christ. Living a life of light is not easy. But whenever you are troubled and darkness steps in, remember and sing the first stanza of that famous song composed by the Apostle of the LIGHTJohn Henry Cardinal Newman

Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home.

Lead Thou me on!

For those who are charged with the teaching and moulding of these students permit me to recall the Motto of CKC Onitsha: BONITAS DISCIPLINA SCIENTIA. Goodness Discipline and Knowledge. The Amaka Boys say their Motto is the embodiment of a whole man. I agree with them and I am sure you do not disagree with their assertion either.

You must teach and encourage them to be good, to prefer always good to evil, to prefer doing good from doing evil. So that the students can confidently and courageously echo with David the verse 6 of Psalm 23-Surely Goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life...’. A good student is well behaved, morally sound and very hardworking. He is an asset to the community, to the Order and to our country.

You must also train their mind and character so that they will be amenable to obedience to rules, self-control and mortification. Without effective discipline achieving goodness may be an illusion. Without discipline assimilation, acquisition of knowledge becomes even more difficult. You must teach them goodness, discipline and knowledge so that they can always live a life of LIGHT.

In conclusion it is necessary to note the generosity of the IGBO- ETITI Community for donating this piece of land in which Mulumba College stands to Onitsha Metropolitan Council. It is a worthwhile investment for the future of our children.

I must congratulate Onitsha Metropolitan Council for its courage in embarking on this big project in a bold attempt to serve the people despite heavy commitments involved.

Without the approval by the Church all our efforts would have been fruitless. Her encouragement remains the key to our strength. We must therefore thank the Church for his support always and thank the Management Priests also.

May Archangel Michael protect Mulumba students from the snares of the devil and May the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Saints and mother of all children offer her maternal care to all students and those working with them. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

History of Knights of St Mulumba in Nigeria

The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) was established in Nigeria on June 14, 1953 by Late Reverend Father Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua; a Priest and Monk from Illah Monastery in present day Delta state and modelled after the...

Ladies of St Mulumba (LSM)

The Ladies of the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria are the wives of Knights of St. Mulumba. The LSM is headed at the National Level by the Noble President, at the Metropolitan Council by the Worthy President and at the Subordinate councils by Sub council Presidents.

Who's Online?

We have 9 guests and no members online

The Order outside Nigeria

The Order established an Order of Catholic Knighthood in Uganda in 2004 known as “Order of the Knights of St. Matia Mulumba Uganda” and in April 2008 inaugurated a subordinate council in the Diocese of Mamfe, Cameroun.